Nikki Baird to give keynote on privacy at CONNECT summit

April 7, 2014

Networld Media Group announced today that Nikki Baird, managing partner with Retail Systems Research (RSR), has joined the speaker roster for its 2014 CONNECT Mobile Innovation Summit, which will convene on August 18–20 this year in Chicago.

"In the area of consumer privacy," said Baird, "technology has moved faster than policy and ethics. The ability to track customers, from online to in-store, has opened up a world of possibilities. But with great power comes great responsibility. Consumers decide daily how much information to share in return for benefits from retailers. But there are plenty of instances where the consumer is not even aware they are being tracked.

"These are uncharted waters that must be navigated carefully to benefit both retail organizations and customers while avoiding backlash and irreparable harm to brands."

Baird's session, "Privacy: Shifting Attitudes, Unintended Consequences," will explore how retailers and restaurants can best navigate the challenging space between consumers' demands for relevance and personalization and their fears around privacy.

Baird is one of the most recognized analysts covering the retail industry and has written research and articles on topics ranging from in-store marketing and technology, store performance management, supply chain and multi-channel fulfillment, retailer-manufacturer collaboration, merchandising, and loyalty and promotions management. She has been quoted as a subject matter expert in The Economist, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and National Public Radio. Prior to becoming an analyst, Baird has been a retailer, software provider and consultant in the retail space.

"The focus of Nikki Baird's session could not be more top of mind among retail and restaurant executives at this time," said Networld Media Group's Senior VP of Events David Drain. "We are excited to be convening so many brand thought leaders in one place at one time, so that huge issues such as consumer privacy versus behavioral tracking and analysis can be explored and debated thoroughly for the benefit of all."